CIAO DATE: 08/2010
March 2010
Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre
Noref and the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, organized the seminar – New Power Relations in Latin America and their global influence – in October 2009. This was the second meeting of an ongoing Noref project to bring Latin American perspectives into discussions on international issues. Participants from Latin America and Norway discussed new intra-regional and external relations, including regional integration initiatives, the presence of extra-regional powers and south-south cooperation. The overarching conclusion is that Latin America is a globalised continent, but subject to political fragmentation. The diversity of foreign relations is a positive element that contributes to the democratisation of the international arena while boosting development in the region and increasing its global responsibility. Fragmentation could be combated by demilitarising hemispheric relations and strengthening the OAS, as it is the only institution sufficiently developed to establish sustainable inter-American co-operation. Norway’s experience in managing a state with advanced social protection could serve as the basis for valuable political support, which, in turn, would enhance Norway’s legitimacy to take on a broader role in the region.
Resource link: Conference report: New Power Relations in Latin America and their Global Influence [PDF] - 142K